Sweat Shop - Applications Developer Symetra Employee Review

1.0
Apr 3, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It has heat and air conditioning.

Cons

It was a nice place to work until the company was taken over by new management a few years ago. The place is driven by fear, tacit threats and overt intimidation. Deadlines are unrealistic, with many overtime hours without compensation or recognition. Middle management is a collage of odious buffoons, imbeciles, and bullies. Cubicles are tiny, and they pack us in like sardines. They took away telecommuting, gradually making it suck more and more to work there, as if they are testing our breaking point. Most of the managers in my department had no insurance or financial background; I believe they were hired based upon their ability to bully and intimidate. They would shout at us and drop f-bombs, in meetings and on the floor. I have seen women driven to tears by tirades over minor oversights. I am sure the managers never read the HR policy on Civil Treatment. I was in the business for over thirty years, and I never worked at a place worse than this. A back-stabbing environment where there is zero trust among employees and everyone fears the managers. And if you make a mistake, you will be treated at best to a public chewing-out. Keel-hauling is the preferred method of discipline. Avoid this toxic place at all costs.

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5.0
May 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great culture, people, pay and benefits. Remote work is awesome.

Cons

Can't think of anything right now

2.0
May 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

This is a fully remote position.

Cons

The pressure to complete work in what the company considers acceptable is ridiculous. While they say they adjust for different situations, this is not at all true. They want you to go the extra mile for the customers but put you on a performance plan if you don't do that within their time constraints. They also have proven time and time again, that if you want to move up within this company, all you have to do is be good friends with the people doing the hiring. They don't care what your experience or proven performance while working with them. They also do nothing to make the CSRs and Back Office workers feel like a part of the rest of the Symetra "family".

2
avatar
Symetra Response
1w
From Erin Woltz, VP Talent Management and Change Leadership: Thank you for sharing this, and for your 10-plus years with Symetra. We hear your frustration and take concerns about performance standards, advancement opportunities, and inclusion across all roles seriously. This kind of feedback helps us examine where we can do better, and we're committed to making sure every employee feels valued — regardless of their role.
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